Method of making disk wheels



July 25,1944, 'W, s, BRl K 2,354,439

' METHOD OF MAKING DISK WHEELS Original Filed Feb. 28, 1939 III! INVENTdR W/NF/ELD 5. BR/NK ATTO RN EY6 Patented July 25, 1944 n g 2,354,439 I :M THODoF 'AKINGm K WHEELS l i WinfieldIS;Brink,3Akron, OhiofassignortoThe I Firestone Tire d: Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio,-=-a---corp0ration of Ohio Original applicationiFebruary'28, 1939, Serial I I 258,911. Di'videdfand this application Decem.

' b er 29,1941; SeriallNo. 424,594

lclaim. (Gl.-2915'9.01)

This invention relates to the manufacture of disk wheels of the type that have a rim for pneumatic tires permanently afilxed to the perimeter thereof, and more especially it relates to methods of making disk wheels of the character mentioned I having the tire rim secured to the wheel disk in an improved manner.

The chief objects of the invention are to provide a method of wheel and rim construction wherein the rim is attached to the wheel in a superior manner; to provide a method of wheel construction of the character mentioned wherein the wheel is capable of absorbing considerable stress Without deforming; to insure against loosening of the rim on the wheel; and to provide a method of making a disk wheel and rim assembly that does not require the use of rivets. A more specific object is to provide a method of wheel and rim construction of the character mentioned wherein the wheel disk is under normal compressive stress. Other objects will be manifest as the specification proceeds.

This application is a division of my co-pending U. S. application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 258,911, filed February 28, 1939.

Of the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a diametric section through a disk wheel and rim assembly constituting the product of the method of the invention, showing an intermediate step in the manufacture thereof;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing how the periphery of the disk is forced into engagement with the rim during a subsequent phase of manufacture;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary diametric section of the wheel and rim assembly in final form; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary diametric section of the product of the invention showing a modification of the method of making the same.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 of the draw ing, there is shown a wheel construction comprising a wheel disk l0 and a rim II for pneumatic tire casings. The said tire rim is of the well known type that has an integral radial tireengaging flange I2 on one margin thereof, and a gutter I3 on the other margin thereof for receiving a removable tire-engaging flange or ring (not shown). The gutter I3 is disposed inwardly of the periphery of the rim, being formed in a circumferential thickened portion l4 that extends inwardly of the inner circumference of the rim. Laterally of the marginal portion I 4, toward the middle of the rim, the latter is formed on its inner circumference with a low circumferential rib or shoulder Ill. The lateral face of rib I5 that confronts the portion I4 is fiat and parallel to the plane of the rim, whereas the other lateral face of the rib is oblique or sloped. The wheel disk I0 is of concavo-convex or dished construction, and formed with aplurality of apertures I1, I! to lighten its weight. The disk I0 is formed with a peripheral flange 18 that extends laterally parallel to the axis of the wheel.

Initially the outside diameter of the flange l8 is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the rim I I, and the flange is transversely corrugated, as is best shown in Figure 2.

In the assembling of the disk In and rim l I, the disk is telescoped within the rim by moving it axially of the latter from the side thereof that I includes flange I2, toward the opposite side thereof, the disk being slightly compressed by reason of its outside diameter being slightly larger than the inside diameter of the rim. The disk is moved axially of the rim until it is past the rib or shoulder [5 of the latter, the flange l8 being of such width as to fit nicely between the rib l5 on one side, and the inwardly projecting portion I4 of the rim on the other side. After the rim and disk have been assembled as described, the corrugated flange I8 is flattened outwardly against the rim, a roller 20, as shown in Figure 2, or any other suitable mechanical means, being used for this purpose. Thereafter, the rim and disk may be permanently connected to each other by spot welding as indicated at 2|, Figure 3. In Figures 1 and 3 the position of the disk with relation to the rim during the initial phase of assembly is indicated in broken lines.

As an alternative method of assembling the disk [0 and rim II, the latter is heated before assembly and the disk is telescoped therewith while the rim is hot. This soexpands the rim that the disk is not subjected to compressive stress while being telescoped therewith, and readily passes the rib or shoulder I5. Upon subsequent cooling the rim shrinks onto the disk and has a tight fit therewith. The assembling is completed by spot welding as in the previously described method. In the practice of the alternative method it is not necessary to corrugate the flange I8 of the disk.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, in its completed form, is identical with that shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawing. It comprises a Wheel disk [0, and a rim 28, the latter and the shoulder 30. In the manufacture of the rim 28, the rim section is hot rolled with the rib 30 and adjacent region of the rim disposedradially outwardly, as indicated in broken lines in the drawing, so that the internal diameter of said rib is flush with the major portion of the rim base. After the wheel disk is pressed-into place against the inwardly-extending portion 29 of the rim, the rim is cold rolled or bull-dozed so that the tire seat on the outer face of the rim is trans-v versely flat as shown in full lines in the drawing.

invention the disk is under compressive stress and thereby is capable of absorbing considerable strain and deformation without loosening of the rim and disk.

Other modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope thereof as defined by the appended claim.

Whatis claimedis:

The method of making disk wheels which comprises providing a wheel disk having a corrugated I laterally projecting peripheral flange, forcing said This forces the shoulder 30 anda'djacentporti'on 1 l of the rim radially inwardly to provide a lateral abutment for one side of the wheel disk and also places the latter under compressive stress.

welding as previously described.

15 The disk and rim thereafter are united by spot the use of rivets. In both embodiments of the.

wheel disk into telescoping relation with a circumscribing rim member of slightly smaller size so that the disk flange engages the inner surface of the tire rim, and then deforming said flange by ,forcing it radially outwardly to flatten the corrugations thereof and bring the flange flush into engagement with the inner surface of the tire rim.

- W'INFIELD S. BRINK. 

